System and method for bi-directional access to a fastening device

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed to a fastening system comprising a first mounting bracket rotatably attached to a first assembly, a second mount bracket rotatably attached to a second assembly and a rigid attachment between the first mount bracket and the second mount bracket wherein the attachment enables the first mount bracket and the second mount bracket to rotate together about a common axis and wherein the attachment enables a portion of the first mount bracket and a portion of the second mount bracket to be separated by space.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a Divisional of co-pending and commonlyassigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/080,168 entitled “SYSTEMAND METHOD FOR BI-DIRECTIONAL ACCESS TO A FASTENING DEVICE”, filed Feb.21, 2002, and related to commonly assigned and concurrently filed U.S.patent applications Ser. Nos. [Attorney Docket No. 10017979-3] entitledSYSTEM AND METHOD FOR BI-DIRECTIONAL ACCESS TO A FASTENING DEVICE; and[Attorney Docket No. 10017979-5] entitled SYSTEM AND METHOD FORBI-DIRECTIONAL ACCESS TO A FASTENING DEVICE, the disclosures of whichare incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention generally relates to accessing fasteningdevices and more specifically to a method and apparatus that enablesbi-directional access to a fastening device.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

[0003] In many mechanical connections, direct access to a connectingstructure such as a screw, bolt, or other fastener, is limited. One areawhere limited access to a fastener is commonplace is in automotivemechanics. Access to bolts that connect engine components, such as waterpumps, pulleys or similar components, to the engine block or to eachother is typically limited so that mechanics have to work on the boltsfrom a specific direction. Moreover, in automotive mechanics, additionalengine components may have to be removed or repositioned to accessfasteners that are otherwise inaccessible.

[0004] Similarly, within mainframe computers and personal computers,connecting structures, such as bolts screws and other fasteners, areused to attach computer components to the computer chassis. For example,a computer hard drive is typically mounted in the computer chassis. Themounting preferably enables removal and installation of a hard drive,for example, during repairs or upgrades of a hard drive, or replacementsof one type of hard drive with another.

[0005] There are a number of ways that a computer hard drive may bemounted in a computer. A hard drive may be directly mounted to a chassiswith screws or other fasteners. Alternatively, a carrier, such as ashelf or tray, may be attached to the chassis and the hard drive may beconnected to the carrier. Other approaches include mounting slides,sleds, skis or rails to the sides of the hard drive, wherein the slides,rails, etc. couple to corresponding grooves or guides that are attachedto the chassis and that hold the hard drive in place. These attachmentsinclude tabs or similar features that prevent the hard drive frommoving. Attachment may also be achieved between the hard drive and thechassis by a snapping mechanism.

[0006] A major limitation to attaching a hard drive or other componentto a chassis with screws is the limited access to the screw fromdirectly in front of the screw. In order to remove or insert the screw,access to the head of the screw and room to rotate the handle of thescrew driver are both required. Typically, due to the densely-populatedcomputer chassis, the hard drive is removed in the same direction as thescrew. Similarly, when a slide arrangement is used (skis or sleds), thehard drive must slide into and out of the chassis along the slide (skisor sleds). The problem of fastener access is aggravated when thefastener is in a very tight space in the chassis. For example, when thehard drive is mounted right up against the chassis wall it is difficultto gain access to the fasteners that are used to hold the hard drive inplace. Similarly, access to bolts and other fastening devices may belimited.

[0007] Similar considerations are involved in other mechanical devicessuch as airplanes, cars, snow mobiles, office equipment, engines,generators, and other mechanical devices in that fastening devices thatfasten components within the system must be approached from a singledirection.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention is directed to a fastening systemcomprising a first mounting bracket rotatably attached to a firstassembly, a second mount bracket rotatably attached to a second assemblyand a rigid attachment between the first mount bracket and the secondmount bracket wherein the attachment enables the first mount bracket andthe second mount bracket to rotate together about a common axis andwherein the attachment enables a portion of the first mount bracket anda portion of the second mount bracket to be separated by space.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009]FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary embodimentof the present invention as used on a computer hard disk;

[0010]FIG. 2 shows the fastening device of FIG. 1 from a secondperspective;

[0011]FIG. 3 shows an enlarged diagram of one embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0012]FIG. 4 shows the enlarged diagram of FIG. 3 after the fasteningdevice has been rotated approximately 45 degrees;

[0013]FIG. 5 shows another view of the fastening device of FIG. 1; and

[0014]FIG. 6 shows an exploded view of one embodiment of the fasteningdevice of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] The present invention enables access to a fastener, such as amounting screw, from multiple directions by allowing the fastener topivot to provide easy access. The present invention is broadlyapplicable to numerous mechanical connections, but the invention will bedescribed in terms of mounting a hard disk within a computer system. Thefigures show an exemplary embodiment related to accessing a hard drivefrom two directions, e.g., accessing the mounting screw from either thetop or front of the cabinet.

[0016] This invention arose from the need to be able to remove a device(such as a hard drive) from more than one direction, such as from eitherthe top of the chassis or from the front or side of the chassis. Eachprevious method for mounting hard drives precludes removal from morethan one direction because the mounting screws may be removed only in asingle direction. In contrast, the present invention enables, forexample, a hard drive to be ejected and removed from the chassis in atleast two directions while still maintaining a solid, rigid, mechanicalmounting to secure the device in the chassis. One embodiment of thepresent invention comprises two brackets that are attached together andenables simultaneous rotation of the brackets around a central rotationaxis. The present invention further enables a screw to be screwedthrough one bracket and into another bracket to form a tight, rigidmount that still enables rotation of the connections between thebrackets and the corresponding assembly about a central pivot point.This enables the user to access the head of the screw or other fastenerwith a screwdriver either, for example, from the top or from the sidejust by rotating the appropriate joint.

[0017] In a computer environment a hard drive may be mounted to a devicebracket that is made out of, for instance, sheet metal. The devicebracket may also be mounted to a floor piece that is also sheet metal.

[0018]FIGS. 1 and 2 show one embodiment of the present invention whererotatable bracket assembly 104 is used to attach computer hard drive 101to a support member such as floor piece 103. Floor piece 103 may be arigid attachment. Note that the present invention may be used to attachany two structures to each other. In the embodiment that is shown inFIG. 1, computer hard drive 101 is connected to device bracket 102 that,in turn, is attached to floor piece 103 by rotating bracket assembly104. Rotating bracket assembly 104 directionally rotates as indicated byreference arrow 107. Rotating bracket assembly 104 is positionable toprovide ready access to a fastener, such as a mounting screw connectingopposing halves of the bracket. Additionally, other methods of assistingalignment may be used such as locking tab 106 that engages receivingslot 105.

[0019]FIG. 3 shows an enlarged view of one embodiment of the presentinvention. In this figure, the entire rotating bracket assembly is shownwith the head of mounting screw 302 pointing up to provide access fromabove for removing the screw, enabling rotating mount bracket 301 toseparate from rotating mount bracket 303. With portions of rotatingmount brackets 301 and 303 separated by a space (in this case, on bothsides of device bracket 102), device bracket 102 may be moved forward todisengage device bracket 102 from floor piece 103 and allow its removalby lifting upward.

[0020] Alternatively, FIG. 4 shows the rotating bracket assembly withthe head of mounting screw 302 positioned at a 45° angle from itsvertical position in FIG. 3. The positioning capability of rotationalmount assembly 104 comprises access to mounting screw 302 from variousangles. As shown, rotational mount assembly 104 comprises a firstrotating mount bracket 301, a second rotating mount bracket 303, andmounting screw 302 that attaches first rotating mount bracket 301 tosecond rotating mount bracket 303. First rotating mount bracket 301would, in this configuration, be attached to the device that is beingmounted, for example, disk bracket 102. Second rotating mount bracket303 would be attached to, in this example, the chassis, such as floorpiece 103. In this case, rotating mount bracket 303 is attached to floorpiece 103 by assembly screw 305. Washer 304 is positioned betweenassembly screw 305 and rotating mount bracket 303. Additional washersand fastening means may be employed to provide for rotation of rotatingmounting brackets 301 and 303 about a common longitudinal axis (401 ofFIG. 4) defined by the longitudinal axis of assembly screw 305. Whilerotating mounting brackets 301 and 303 should be positionable to providefor access to mounting screw 302 from multiple positions, someresistance or locking mechanism may be employed to maintain the assemblyin a desired position while mounting screw 302 is manipulated. Forexample, a series of clicking stops using a detent system may beincorporated to hold mounting screw 302 in a desired position. To thisend, rotating mount bracket 301 is shown with a pair of parallel earpieces to provide for its grasping and manual positioning.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment, the attachment between rotating mountbracket 303 and the item it is attached to uses assembly screw 305 andthreaded inserts (601 of FIG. 6) that are pressed into rotating mountingbracket 303 to allow for its rotation. Similarly, an assembly screw 501,washer 502 and threaded insert 602 (FIG. 6) are used to connect rotatingmounting bracket 301 to disk bracket 102.

[0022] Threaded inserts 601 and 602 are configured to be pressed intomaterial such as a sheet metal piece. Note that threaded insert 601 and602 or similar inserts may also be pressed into plastic, fiberglass orsimilar material now known or later developed. Threaded inserts 601 and602 have internal threads at a given thread type while the outsideportion of the threaded inserts have a round cylinder portion and amounting feature on the bottom that, using a hydraulic press, is pressedinto the sheet metal. Threaded inserts 601 and 602 extend out fromrotating mounting brackets 301 and 303 such that they extend into andthrough a clearance hole in device bracket 102 and floor piece 103,respectively, and provide a bearing mechanism. Effectively, the threadedinserts enable rotating bracket assembly 104 to rotate back and forthwithout loosening assembly screws 305 and 501. One manufacturer of asuitable threaded insert is Penn Engineering & Manufacturing.

[0023] Assembly screw 305 attaches rotating mounting bracket 303 tofloor piece 103 and assembly screw 501 attaches mounting bracket 301 todevice bracket 102. While threaded assemblies 601 and 602 extend throughthe hole in the sheet metal, they preferably do not fasten the bracketsto the assemblies. Assembly screws 305 and 501 preferably ensureconnections between rotating mounting brackets and the assemblies.

[0024] Note that although FIG. 4 illustrates rotational mount assembly104 rotating to 45°, any appropriate angular rotation up to the physicallimits provided may be accommodated, e.g., rotation of rotating mountbracket 104 does not have to stop at 45° but may rotate to 90° or more,in either direction.

[0025]FIG. 5 shows another perspective of a fastener of the presentinvention. Assembly screw 501 is used to hold rotating mount bracket 301to device bracket 102 and permits rotating mount bracket 104 to rotatewith respect to device bracket 102. Assembly screw 501 screws intothreaded insert 602 (FIG. 6). Preferably, assembly screw 501 islongitudinally aligned with assembly screw 305 to provide for thepivoting of rotating mount brackets 301 and 303 about a common axis (401of FIG. 4).

[0026] Note that assembly screw 501 and assembly screw 305 are notnecessarily different types of screws and the same type of screw may beused in each position. Similarly, while different reference numbers areused for threaded inserts 601 and 602, these parts may also beidentical.

[0027]FIG. 6 is an exploded view of one embodiment of the presentinvention. Rotating bracket assembly 104 (FIG. 1) comprises rotatingmount bracket 301 rotatably attached to disk bracket 102 via washer 502,assembly screw 501 and threaded insert 602. Similarly, rotating mountbracket 303 may be rotatably attached to floor piece 103 via washer 304,assembly screw 305 and threaded insert 601. Note that washer 304 orwasher 502 are not necessary to practice the present invention but maybe helpful in enhancing bracket rotation capabilities. Rotating mountbrackets 301 and 303 are mounted to device bracket 102 and floor piece103, respectively, and are attached to each other via mounting screw302. Mounting screw 302 goes through a hole located in a perpendiculararm portion of rotating mount bracket 301. The perpendicular arm (alsoknown as an “L” bracket) may be a fastening structure for rotatablysecuring brackets 301, 303 to structures (e.g., each other, bracket 102or floor piece 103). After passing through the hole in rotating mountbracket 301, mounting screw 302 threads into a threaded hole located ina perpendicular arm potion of the rotating mount bracket 303 attached tofloor piece 102. Accordingly, mounting brackets 301 and 303 areconnected in two positions along a rotating axis and a portion ofbracket 301 is separated by a space from a portion of bracket 303.Alternatively, other means of fastening mount brackets 301 and 303 arealso encompassed in the present invention, and include, but are notlimited to a bolt, washer and nut.

[0028] Assembly screws 305 and 501 are each screwed into threaded insert601 and 602 respectively. The portion of threaded inserts 601 and 602that contacts the brackets is a round cylindrical portion that extendsout of the sheet metal and into a corresponding hole in device bracket102 and in floor piece 103. The interface between threaded inserts 601and 602 bearing against the respective hole in the brackets allow theentire assembly to rotate.

[0029] The hole in rotating mount bracket 303 that receives mountingscrew 302 may be an extruded and tapped hole. The hole may be formed bypunching a hole in the sheet metal, or other material, pressing anddeforming a portion of the material down. A tap is then used to createthe corresponding threads that engage mounting screw 302.

[0030] While the present invention has been illustrated in termsproviding access to mounting hardware securing an equipment tray orshelf to a bracket or other support, the invention is equally applicableto other uses and environments wherein it is desirable to provide readyaccess to attachment hardware. For example, the paired rotating mountingbrackets may be used to secure any type of device to a mount or otherdevice. The rotating mounting bracket may be used with electronicdevices, mechanical apparatus, etc. Further, although the invention hasbeen illustrated in connection with lightweight components in arelatively benign environment, it is equally applicable to large, heavycomponents in a harsh environment (e.g., automotive, space equipment,construction equipment, etc.). The present invention may also be used inmounting equipment to racks, office equipment in cabinets or othersimilar applications. Still further, use of a rotating mounting bracketto attach equipment and supports may be employed, as may other devicesto fasten the brackets together (e.g., thumb screws, wingnuts, etc.)

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of fastening comprising: rotatablyattaching a first mount bracket to a first assembly; rotatably attachinga second mount bracket to a second assembly; and rigidly attachingperpendicular arm portions of said first and said second mount bracketstogether such that said mount brackets retain rotational freedom arounda rotation axis.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of attachingsaid first bracket to said first assembly comprises: mating an assemblyscrew with an insert; and tightening said assembly screw into saidinsert to attach said first mounting bracket to said first assembly. 3.The method of claim 2 wherein said assembly screw is a machine screw. 4.The method of claim 1 wherein said attaching a first mount bracketcomprises: rotatably attaching said first mount bracket to a firstassembly and said attaching a second mount bracket comprises rotatablyattaching said second mount bracket to a second assembly.
 5. The methodof claim 1 wherein said attaching said first and said second mountbrackets comprises: rigidly attaching said first mount bracket and saidsecond mount bracket wherein said attachment enables said first mountbracket and said second mount bracket to rotate together about saidrotation axis.
 6. The method of claim 1 further comprising: spacing aportion of said first mount bracket rotatably attaching said first mountbracket to said first assembly from a portion of said second mountbracket rotatably attaching a second mount bracket to a second assemblyapart.
 7. The method of claim 1 further comprising: manually graspingand positioning said fastening system using at least one ear of saidfirst mount bracket.
 8. A method of fastening comprising: rotatablyattaching a first mount bracket to a first assembly; rotatably attachinga second mount bracket to a second assembly; and connecting aperpendicular arm of said first mount bracket to a perpendicular arm ofsaid second bracket in at least two positions along a rotational axis.9. The method of claim 8 wherein said connecting comprises connectingthe first mount bracket to the second mount bracket using a rigidattachment.
 10. The method of claim 9 wherein said rigid attachmentcomprises a machine screw.
 11. The method of claim 9 wherein said firstand second mount brackets have a common axis of rotation about whichsaid rigid attachment rotates.
 12. The method of claim 8 wherein saidconnecting comprises rigidly attaching an arm portion of said firstbracket to an arm portion of said second mount bracket.